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Intercepted ship
Ian Gunn reports for CBC radio


Reform MP wants illegal immigrants deported
WebPosted Sun Jul 25 18:14:58 1999

VANCOUVER - West Vancouver's Reform MP John Reynolds wants the 123 Chinese migrants caught entering Canada last week out of the country immediately.

Reynolds says the group of would-be refugees found on a ship off Vancouver Island were trying to enter Canada illegally and they shouldn't be allowed to stay.

Reynolds says he is speaking on behalf of his constituents and that he has received many calls from Canadians looking for the individuals to be deported.

He says people who spend vast sums to be smuggled from their countries of origin are not genuine refugees.

It is believed the shipload of Chinese migrants were part of a human smuggling operation. Last week one of the passengers admitted he paid $30,000 US for his passage.

Reynolds says Canadian taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill for the investigation or for the care of the group, which has been staying at CFB Esquimalt on Vancouver Island.

An immigration lawyer in Vancouver says, however, that allowing these people to have the opportunity to claim refugee status is just part of Canada's immigration and refugee process, and it has to be followed.

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